Esgenoopetitj First Nation (Burnt Church First Nation)

From James Ward, Commander, East Coast Warrior Society,
30 September 2002

Once again, the community of Burnt Church and the Mikmaq Nation are
fighting the Canadian government for the future of the next 7
generations. The Mikmaq people of Burnt Church are determined to
protect their peoples ancient Inherent right to fish, which has been
exercised since time immemorial. This Inherent right was recognized in
the 1760-61 Treaties with the British and upheld in the 1999 Supreme
Canadian Court Marshal ruling.

The Canadian government through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(DFO) has chosen to ignore their laws and turn a blind eye to their
Marshall decision by denying us our Inherent right to our own
resources and the ability to sell our catch in order to sustain
ourselves.

The Mikmaq people of Burnt Church have utterly rejected any and all of
the Canadian governments attempts to legally extinguish our rights and
freedoms through agreements. We will not perpetuate the process of
self-infringement, self-denial and self-extinguishment of rights and
freedoms that belong to the future generations.

We are bound and determined to not repeat the mistakes of the past by
co-operating with an adversarial Canadian government.

The 2001 Mikmaq Treaty Conflict resulted in a large deployment of
government forces (DFO, RCMP, Coast Guard and the paramilitary
Emergency Response Teams) to wipe out the Mikmaq fishery by use of
overwhelming force. The Mikmaq stood up, resisted and defended their
rights and freedoms.

We clearly understand the magnitude of the this fight. It has National
consequences and impacts ALL Native Nations.

When we win, this will set a precedent for Native Nations reasserting
control over stolen Natural resources and demonstrate a right to
manage these resources, for the betterment of our futures, without the
influence or control of the Canadian government.

This year we are up against an even larger mobilization government
forces. They have deployed up to 40% more DFO officers and vessels, A
larger RCMP presence, a purposely built RCMP Operational Center just
off our reserve and twice as many paramilitary Emergency Response
Teams. The government has taken over the nearby wharf and surrounded
our reserve with RCMP vehicles.

Burnt Church has fewer boats, no available funds, and are closed off
by large daily government patrols. The leadership has been targeted by
the RCMP. Most of them have warrants for their arrest pertaining to
last years conflict and one by one the RCMP is trying to grab them.

As I write this letter, I am constantly evading capture by the RCMP. I
have evaded 4 attempts so far. I am now a fugitive in my own land.

We are going to fight for our children, and WE WILL WIN, but in order
to be successful we need the help from our bother and sister Nations
and any social conscience individuals. This conflict is a dark time
for my people and we need your help.

We are in need of:

1. Financial donations - Banking information provided below

2. Boats - any size or type, if you wish to lend or donate one please
contact me first at my number provided below for arrangements

3. Food - we have warriors from throughout Canada here to assist but
we have very little food to sustain them.